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Blic Online | Dacic: I dare anyone challenge me!

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First interview of new diplomacy Chief and former Prime Minister

Dacic: I dare anyone challenge me!

Željka Jevtić | 30. 04. 2014. - 02:00h | Foto: M. Perić | Comments 0

The First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic reveals in his
interview with the Blic what his first tasks shall be, the outcome regarding
diplomatic passports and relations within the SPS.

Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic

According to his words his first goal shall be to bring Serbia to the summit of the
European chiefs or governments, Russia and the USA, the OSCE members, an
organization that Serbia is to chair next year.

What are your first jobs to be done?

​ - The first meeting that I shall attend is the Committee of Ministers of the
Council of Europe. No doubt the main topic on agenda shall be Ukraine and
relation with Russia. The Russian diplomacy Chief Sergey Lavrov is also expected
to attend. Next week the Ministerial Conference EU-West Balkans is to take place
in Thessaloniki. That is a very important meeting since in June there shall be an
analysis as to what we have done until so far regarding the European integration
process. The third event in May is the Ministerial Meeting of Non-Aligned
Countries in Algeria. Next year Serbia shall chair the OSCE and that is actually a
job of a foreign minister. I shall also see that during that time a session of the
Ministerial Meeting of the OSCE Council is held in Belgrade, but if international
circumstances allow so, I shall suggest that the summit of the chief of states or
heads of governments is held here.

Will the country keep the neutral stance regarding the EU-USA-Russia crisis?

​ - Yes, that stance shall be voiced as early as at the Council of Europe. We respect
territorial integrity of every country that is a member of the EU, including
Ukraine, but on the other side Serbia shall never introduce any sanctions against
Russia. It is not only a country with a friendly relation towards our country, but
our economic and political partner as well. Also, Russia has never introduced any
sanctions to Serbia.

Will you continue negotiations over Kosovo?

​ The continuation of the dialog has not been scheduled yet. However, as regards
the dialog, the matters are completely clear, the negotiating process is at the
Prime Minister’s level. That is how it has been started. I am ready to give my
absolute contribution and assist the Prime Minister as necessary.

Will ambassadors to important countries be finally appointed?

​ - All vacant diplomatic posts of key importance, such as Berlin, Washington and
Beijing, shall soon be filled. However, we still have not talked about the names
and you know that the decision in question is not on me only, but on the Prime
Minister and the President as well.

Will diplomatic passports given to some individuals without any valid reason be taken
away?

​ - If it turns out that there have been certain administrative irregularities in the so
far work of the Foreign Ministry, they shall be corrected. This refers to diplomatic
passports, too. One thing is certain and it is that I shall not make a party ministry
because I want that the foreign affairs are the best reference of Serbia.

Are there in the SPS some officials not satisfied that the socialists have entered the
ruling coalition and is that dissatisfaction a threat to your position of a party leader?

​ - Our decision to participate in the actual power was made unanimously. All
stories that have appeared in public should be understood as a personal stance
only or that particular individual’s dissatisfaction for not participating in the new
Government. Basically there is no division within the SPS. At the SPS meeting I
said that anyone having anything against should say it openly or be my counter-
candidate. We shall soon make decision about the SPS Congress since the party
has to change, to acquire new policy and also elect new members of all party
bodies.

No foreign influences on constitution of the new Government

​ Opposition is claiming that the foreign influence was decisive in constituting of

the new Government in the first place in the fact that ministers of traffic and
energy has exchanged their posts?
​ - This time a coalition was not necessary for a government to be constituted. This
is exclusive decision by the new Prime Minister who decided to share the power
with other political factors. So, all such stories are in the sphere of political fiction.

Leaving Home Ministry was emotional

​ How did you feel at leaving the Home Ministry?
​ - I met with all people that I was cooperating with in recent six years. No doubt
that cannot be done without emotions. I have to admit that I left the farewell
cocktail very soon in order to prevent that emotions get hold over me. I wish
success to the new Home Minister. He shall have my help and support for
everything he might need.

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Keywords: New Government, Ivica Dacic, Foreign Minister
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